‘Time is just right for a Deep Purple tribute’
Howick’s own statesman of the blues-rock music scene is a master craftsman guitarist and vocalist who always delivers the goods through his hardworking, sweat-drenched performances.
He’s known for his dynamic shows dedicated to the musical memory of the late, great Texas flyer Stevie Ray Vaughan, and his band Double Trouble, and now Tony Painting and his electric group, The Power, are taking on a new challenge.
Painting, originally of Birmingham, England, who arrived with his family in Howick in the late 1990s, is embarking on a concert tour that parades the music of one of his favourite English rock groups and guitar heroes, Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore.
He says he’s wanted to do a Deep Purple tribute show for some years, but wouldn’t do it until he had the right singer.
That man has come along in the form of Leon Ruwhiu, who takes on the vocal blueprint set down by the legendary Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan. Gulp.
‘‘I guess I’m doing it purely for selfish reasons,’’ Painting says, smiling, ‘‘and because the time is right to do it.
‘‘As an aspiring guitar player, I looked up to players like Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Ritchie Blackmore.
‘‘He had the tone, the technique and the attitude, and especially for those songs of Deep Purple.
‘‘It struck a chord that has stuck with me all my life.’’
Painting and The Power are focused on the original Deep Purple, up to mark II, set to deliver two-and-a-half hours of rockers from the albums Shades of Deep Purple, In Rock, Machine Head, Fireball, Who Do We Think We Are, Made in Japan, Burn, Stormbringer, and Perfect Strangers.
‘‘As a musician, you have to be at a certain level technically to do justice to the music, as Deep Purple are world-class,’’ he says.
Gigging with Painting and Ruwhiu are The Power’s driving rhythm section of bassist Mark Dunasement, drummer Neil Williamson, who’s hero is Ian Paice, and new keyboardist Oliver James.
They deliver their opening Deep Purple performance in Bosun’s Bar, at The Good Home, The Prospect of Howick, next Friday, March 3.
It’s the first gig of a North Island tour with 12 shows already booked. For details, refer online to eventfinda.co.nz.